‘Mr South’ John Alleyne passes on

CALL him “Mr South”, call him “Mr Sport”, call him what you like.
But John Alleyne was all that and more.

This doyen of newspapermen, who wrote everything including the sport he so dearly loved, interestingly, tennis, has gone to meet his maker at the ripe age of four score and one —- 81. And at his bedside on Thursday when he said goodbye to this world, was one of his “sons”, Dr Alvin Henderson. During his lifetime, Alleyne ,who also headed the Guardian South Bureau in San Fernando for many years,  fought tooth and nail for the upliftment of sport in the southland. There was no happier man when South triumphed over North in the annual Red Cross Cup football match. No mention of a national team, whether it be football, athletics, cricket, tennis, golf, hockey, basketball or tiddly winks could be made with Alleyne around, and without him making a pitch for a Southerner. He loved his sport, and Alleyne travelled extensively to all the Caribbean islands to watch and support Trinidad and Tobago.

For many years, Alleyne was president of the Southern Football Association and championed the cause of Son Baptiste, Rawlins “Cax” Baptiste, Doyle Griffith, Delbert Charleau, Ivan Carter, Watty Douglas, Ivan de Gourville, Alvin “Golden Boy” Rodriguez and more recently, Rawle Aimey, Pat Small, Aldwyn Ferguson, Peter Mitchell, the Murren brothers Selwyn and Kent, Leo “Twinkle Toes” Brewster,Warren Archibald, Leroy de Leon and Wilfred “Bound To Score” Cave and many others not mentioned. But he did not rest at just being SFA boss and a member of the then Trinidad and Tobago Football Association executive. He also rose to the vice-presidency under Ken Galt, now deceased, in the early 1970s. After Galt died in office Alleyne assumed the office from 1978-1985.

Alleyne will be always be remembered as one of the pioneers in local football administration. Current president Oliver Camps paid glowing tribute to Alleyne saying: “We will remember John for his strong commitment and dedication to the game. “He was one of those administrators who fought for what he believed in and was always keen on seeking improvements. “He carried with him a wealth of knowledge and information, most of which we are benefiting from today. “He shall be greatly missed by all in the football fraternity,” said a solemn Camps.